AKIPRESS.COM - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the military intelligence agency GUR, as his new chief of staff, DW reports.

The appointment comes after Budanov's predecessor Andriy Yermak resigned as anti-corruption officials launched a graft investigation.

The 39-year-old Budanov has led GUR since 2020, previously having taken part in operations against Moscow-backed separatists in the eastern parts of Ukraine, now under Russian occupation.

He became a well-known and popular wartime figure, appearing in interviews and briefings.

The new role, which focuses on political and diplomatic coordination, marks a change of pace for the intelligence chief.

But Zelenskyy framed the appointment as Kyiv refocusing on security and defense.

"Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results," the Ukrainian president said.

For his part, Budanov wrote on Telegram that it was "both an honor and a  responsibility — at a historic time for Ukraine — to focus on the critically important issues of the state's strategic security."

Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleh Ivashchenko is set to replace him as the head of GUR.